Today marks that baby Katherine has been growing inside of me for 24 weeks! In just 16 short weeks (give or take a couple), we will be the proud parents of 2 girls. SO crazy. Even though I am obviously pregnant, it is so diffcult for me to comprehend that Katherine (or when I was pregnant with Abigail) is growing INSIDE of me. And when I google pictures of babies at __ weeks old in utero, it boggles my mind that that is what my baby looks like inside of me! Pregnancy/life is truly a miracle and blessing from God.
In my last blog post, I announced that I was going back to school. I thought I had made up my mind... but I think I'm chickening out for now. I feel like I am finally starting become a better wife/mother with cooking homemade meals on a consistant basis (cooking has constantly been a struggle for me) and balancing life. Even though I do believe there's no better time than now, I just think I will be too stressed out/overwhelmed/sleep deprived if I go back to school now. I know my girls will want my attention even more as they get older, but while Katherine will be a newborn and Abigail not even 2 years old, I feel like when I'm not at work, I really need to focus my energy on my family. I've been sooo back and forth about this, but I'm pretty sure that's my decision for now. It amazes me how people can juggle working 5 days a week, going back to school and a family, but at the same time, I feel like something will have to give. So just thought I'd give you all the update with me and school. I do officially have until January 1, 2020 to get my BSN, but work is constantly encouraging (or pressuring?) us to go back now and get it.
Speaking of work, I am now working on postpartum!!! I like the work so much better. :) I knew I would. As a nurse, working in OB is truly where my passion lies. But it is still kinda depressing though... the patient population we get is just disheartening some/most of the time. Seriously, drug-addicted antepartum mothers who didn't 'know' they were pregnant (we're talking well into the 2nd trimester), mothers of 8 kids and counting, mothers who don't want their babies but don't want to give them up for adoption either, unwed teenage pregnancies pregnant with their 2nd or 3rd already, don't speak English, illegal, father in jail or getting deported, mother in jail, no insurance (I'm glad my hospital doesn't judge and will accept anyone, but after you see the same cases over and over it's easy to lose heart) aaand so on. So working in postpartum at my hospital is definitely not all rainbows and butterflies. But despite all that, I do like my new job, definitely more than my old floor. I've been orienting on day shift and that has been wonderful. Even though they commute to work is literally an hour long with traffic (compared to 40 minutes at night), it is worth it to be able to be home in time to put Abigail to bed and sleep next to Jim every night. I really hope I can transfer to day shift in the next year. Working nights is really tough on me and I know it's only going to get harder once Katherine comes along.
Anyway, I LOVE that the weather is cooling down! Yay for fall. Yesterday Jim and I were able to hang out on our front porch again after Abigail went to bed (first time since before summer). I am so excited for the holidays in our new neighborhood. I really hope I get Halloween off so we can either pass our candy and met our neighbors that way or just walk around while everyone is out. :) And I'm so excited for Christmas time and seeing all the Christmas lights while we take our nightly walks!
